SAM Vokes’ fine form in front of goal was inspired by a heart-to-heart with Clarets boss Sean Dyche last season.

The Wales international has seven goals in his last six Premier League games, having scored five in his previous 58 appearances in the top flight.

Speaking before today’s Turf Moor clash with West Brom, a fixture in which Vokes scored twice towards the end of last season, Dyche said the striker had spoken to him last season to raise potential improvements in his game.

“He’s becoming an increasingly important figure because he’s played so well,” Dyche said of last season’s top scorer.

“I was really pleased that he took stock in February or March when he felt he could do certain things better. I had a chat with him about it, he accepted it and he took responsibility for it.

“He deserves the credit, because since then his game has risen, his performances have risen and his goal return has risen.

“He deserves a lot of credit for thinking ‘I can do more and I think I need to do more’.”

Dyche said the conversation between striker and manager covered several issues, but firmly put the credit on Vokes for instigating the chat and then raising his game to a new level.

“It was a mixture of everything, some from what I’ve been aligning him with and some from what he can control himself,” the Turf boss said.

“That’s why it’s a lot of credit on him rather than me or my staff. He’s thought ‘I need to do this better and that better’, and he’s actually taken action. Anyone can use words, but putting them into action is the key, taking ownership of it.

“That’s what he’s done and so far he’s got his rewards. Now it’s about continuing that and doing all the things you’ve done and the reason for them.”

At 27 Vokes now appears to be main man for club and country, having usurped Hal Robson-Kanu for Wales, while he ended last season as the Clarets’ top scorer having previously played second fiddle to the likes of Danny Ings and Andre Gray.

Dyche insists he has always had faith in Vokes, who will make his 200th appearance since joining the Clarets on a permanent basis against the Baggies.

“I think strikers learn the game the longer they play it, maybe he’s just getting more understanding of his role as a striker, the importance of it and what part to play,” Dyche said.

“I’ve believed in him for a long time now and I say to the players I believe in them more they believe in them, because I’m older and wiser about what it is. You question yourself a lot as a player.

“There’s a lot of good things for Vokesy. He’s in a good situation with what he’s got here and his own career at the moment, he’s in a very good place.”